Comparisons

Bosch PS31BN vs Milwaukee 2803-20

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Bosch PS31BNMilwaukee 2803-20
Title Bosch Bare-Tool PS31BN 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion 3/8-Inch 2-Speed Drill/Driver with Exact-Fit L-BOXX Tool Insert TrayMilwaukee 2803-20 M18 FUEL 1/2" Drill/Driver (Bare Tool)-Peak Torque = 1,200 in-lbs
Model Bosch
PS31BN
Milwaukee
2803-20

Basic Info

Suggested Price $116.34 ($4.69 / oz)$399.00
Sale Price Check Price*Check Price*
Release Dec 2012Jan 2019

Overview

Top Features
  • Compact and Lightweight-Shortest height and head length along with lightest weight make this tool great for overhead/tight area work
  • 3/8-Inch Single Sleeve Chuck-Newly developed compact duty tool to accommodate 90-Percent of common applications with 3/8-Inch single sleeve chuck
  • Fuel Gauge-Easier battery management for continued work
  • Custom Exact-Fit Tool Inlays-Custom inserts that hold individual tools in place with room underneath to store other tool accessories
  • Tool Only (battery not included)
  • POWERSTATE Brushless motor: purposely built for the M18 FUEL 1/2 in. Drill Driver to provide up to 60% more power than the competitive set
  • REDLINK Plus intelligence: ensures optimal performance and provides overload protection to prevent damage to the tool and battery during heavy applications while still maintaining compatibility across the entire M18 system
  • REDLITHIUM XC5.0 Battery pack: delivers more work per charge and more work over the life of the pack than competitors
  • Up to 60% more power: 1,200 in-lbs of torque
  • LED on foot of tool for better lighting in dark spaces

Reviews

Walmart Rating4.7 (out of 24 reviews)4.2727 (out of 22 reviews)
Latest Reviews

Another handy tool
Rating: 5
Finished up another home remodel project with this tool. It's compact takes on all drilling challenges up to the chuck capacity. Like all the Bosch tools it's power packed and you can always count on them to deliver. Have several of the compact 12v tools not a one disappoints. And the fact they all use the same battery is awesome!! Go Bosch.
by BubbaJ on 2014-07-24T17:00:00

Compact size with more than enough power!
Rating: 5
I bought this compact drill for my work. Small size with enough power to finish HVAC job easier and quicker. Battery charges fast. It will be interesting to try one with hammer drill function. For intensiveness of the work, most our power tools are not going to be last got couple years, so 3 year Warranty on tool and 2 year on battery will be plenty to cover.
by seanseattle on 2014-04-10T17:00:00

Perfect drill for cabinet shop.
Rating: 5
After 40 years using all sorts of drills in my cabinet shop, I bought this Bosch PS31B two years ago. It is the perfect drill for a custom wood shop. It is small and fits nicely in your hands. The clutch is accurate even with very light settings for things like hinges, door handles etc, yet powerful enough to drill large holes in tough wood like oak and maple. The batteries last and are fast to charge. Two speeds are handy to have as well. About the only improvement needed is a method to hold extra bits in the handle. This is the perfect drill for cabinet shop, also electrician, appliance repair and so on. Highly recommend this drill.
by Jack57 on 2015-12-10T16:00:00

Durable and Light Weight
Rating: 5
Purchased this little 12V drill for a specific commercial project. Needed to drill over 1,000 holes (5/16" diameter) through 14 gauge steel, overhead at 9' high. (I didn't want to use a full size cordless drill, as operator fatigue and workspace limitations were big issues). The PS31 performed the job flawlessly! It had enough power and decent run time between charges. I was so impressed, I just purchased a 3 tool set (#CLPK32-120) that has the drill, an impact driver and reciprocating saw.
by JoeE on 2013-11-09T16:00:00

Good Drill
Rating: 5
I bought the PS41-2A last year to go along with my old corded Bosch drill because I need the impact feature. My cordless 3/8s drill has served me well for 20 years but since I already had the two batteries with my impactor I thought it was just dumb not to have the PS31-Bn to go along with it. I'm very pleased with it as well. As a lot of my work is installing cabinetry, the small size is perfect to have in the tool belt. Batteries last forever and plenty of power for 90% of drilling. Will be looking to upgrade to brushless at some point needless to say.
by mrbscottc on 2014-05-25T17:00:00

Totally pleased
Rating: 5
Small size was my primary goal and the 12 volt PS31 drill is perfect.  I've gotten along with my old power drills for at least 30 years, so the new features of the PS31 are like skipping a couple of generations.  I stayed away from battery powered tools before now because I didn't like the large size of the battery pack hanging off the bottom.  The PS31 is smaller than all my old power drills and way handier.  It is so user friendly, I felt safe in helping my eight year old granddaughter use it on her science project.  She was thrilled with her success. I am so pleased with the PS31 that I have now purchased a Bosch PS60BN 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Pocket Reciprocating Saw.  The fact that the saw uses the same battery and the quality of the drill are what motivated my purchase. I was a little confused by the Bosch tool registration web page, but apparently picked the right drill model number. Great tool.
by RetiredGuy on 2013-10-23T17:00:00

Compact but powerful
Rating: 5
I already have a bunch of 18v Bosch cordless tools, but the 18v drill is a bit heavy for odd jobs around the house. This little one gets into smaller spaces and is powerful enough for all but the biggest jobs. For those I am keeping the 18v drill. I got it with a kit, CLPK22-120AL, which included the drill, the PS41 impact driver, a L-BOXX 1 with inserts for both, a charger, and 2 BAT414 batteries, the new 2.0 AH ones. A huge bargain, especially since the kit comes with an extra L-BOXX 1A for small parts. The drill works great with my twist drills, up to 1/2 inch (the chuck is 3/8 and the larger bit has a 3/8 shank). It goes through 2x4 and plywood with no problems. Not quite enough torque for spade bits, but the impact driver handles that just fine.
by hockeynut1 on 2014-04-01T17:00:00

Perfect size
Rating: 5
I've been out of the cordless drill market for several years. When I remodeled my kitchen I needed something for hanging drywall, cabinets and securing the counter tops. After looking at several of the new Lithium Ion drills, I really liked the feel and features of the Bosch. It is compact enough to get into the tight corners of the base cabinets to secure the counter top, and hanging wall cabinets, won't tire your arm out like bigger / heavier drills. This is by far the most compact and best fitting drill I looked at.
by cpd670 on 2013-09-11T17:00:00

Light and strong, but drains the battery fast
Rating: 4
It's really light and comfortable, especially in tight places, and has a lot of torque for such a small drill. But there are noticeable drawbacks: the battery drains pretty fast, the speed switch is somewhat clumsy (sometimes you think that you switched the speed, but you actually didn't), the chuck's plastic is too hard and slippery. The charger is specified as 30 min charger, but it actually takes about an hour to charge fully drained battery. Also, for such a price it would be good to include a few accessories (bits etc).  I have had the drill for a month now, so cannot comment on reliability at this moment.
by on 2013-06-05T17:00:00

Great for light use
Rating: 3
We have several of this drill in our workplace. Very compact and light drill. Handy that it comes with 2 battery and charger. However, we use it very heavily on a daily basis and several of the drill died after only 5-6 months. Seems like the motor died. However, Bosch have it repaired under warranty. So, I am still wondering if this drill is for heavy use or not.
by StevenL on 2013-10-30T17:00:00

Easily beats dewalt.
Rating: 5
I'm a millwright. My job requires strong well built tools. I was going through dewalt 20 volts drills. They would lock up and get smoked. This drill has way more power than the dewalt and takes more of a beating.
by Too much beef on 2019-05-15T17:00:00

Strong drill
Rating: 5
This drill is stronger than most electric drills I've ever owned. The electronic clutch doesn't give me the feeling of anxiety that I'm destroying my tool like the conventional clutches do. I am a contractor and use this every day. So glad I went with Milwaukee.
by 71comedy on 2019-05-29T17:00:00

Honestly, a well made drill is an understatement
Rating: 5
I do both residential and commercial almost 7 days a week, most weeks. I have switched over about a year ago to Milwaukee from a big orange colored tool line. Can't say I have regretted it once. I just feel like I don't really treat this thing well...tossed in the work van constantly. this drill is better to use daily and charges fast, battery of course last plenty long enough for what I do. Sometimes lasting over a couple weeks no problem. NO kidding I love this product. It's made to go to work, not just look at
by 7200generalrepair on 2019-05-22T17:00:00

Long time user.
Rating: 5
Hi, I have been using Milwaukee drills for a long time. I was a lineman for 20 years, and I have to tell you guys that I had to pull an electric drill, cord, and bolts and tools up poles in an easement to frame up new builds. Any time I could lighten the load I would. My old Milwaukee drill was a badass and I would not have gave it up for anything. If I would have had this little power house I think it would have been a great substitute. The short amount of time that I've had my new drill it has kicked butt. Very powerful and built tough. The battery lasts, and charges quickly. Just feels good in the hand. Nice product, thanks Milwaukee.
by Cableguy on 2019-05-19T17:00:00

First drill and love it.
Rating: 5
I'm a women about the house, living in the back woods, love the cordless and how long the battery lasts. Easy to change bits and drills. Plenty of power for my projects and repairs. Was recommended to me because of quality construction and durability.
by Lucydej on 2019-05-15T17:00:00

Great for DIY use.
Rating: 5
Bought this in a set with a impact driver. Out performs the dewalt I had hands down. I have a couple of 5.0ah batteries and they last very well and the drill and driver keep power up until the battery is completely dead. One flaw I have noticed is the drill and driver both seem to have some glitch where it randomly doesn't work as if the battery is dead. If you unhook the battery and reconnect it then you are good to go. Other than that this drill is great.
by matchew2004 on 2019-05-15T17:00:00

It's not an upgrade from the 2703.
Rating: 4
I blow up my 2703 drilling out bore holes with a 7/8 ager bit. Still trying to find a place to get it rebuilt. Got the 2803 from work and its good, but the torque is just not there it's a good all around drill, but the hammer mode is not the best my 2703 would drill out holes for z nails and plastic anchors in concert and want more. The 2803 gets hot after drilling out 4 aluminum studs 1"1/8th holes for wire. Over all it is a good drill for work. Just have to watch the temperature gauge...lol.
by Tjbearfoot on 2019-05-15T17:00:00

I would buy this again
Rating: 4
Being an electrician can I drill lots of holes into metal wireways (cans troughs etc). This drill works well and I rarely have any issues. The 1st speed is just the right rpms to effectively drill holes with a 1 1/8” hole saw without burning them out.
by SpecNick on 2019-05-15T17:00:00

Don't consider this an upgrade from the 2703 drill
Rating: 2
We use a lot Milwaukee Fuel tools at our manufacturing facility. We bought several of these new drills to see how they perform against the one they are replacing (2703). We are disappointed, it seems Milwaukee backed down some on the Heavy Duty quality. When we are threading steel plates they run out of torques quicker. In a place where the 2703 would just dig in and keep on going, the 2803 just stops, it seems the electronic torque setting is too low.
by OEM Tech on 2018-09-12T17:00:00

Problems once again with the new drill driver
Rating: 1
I am going to be as honest as I can be, I am going on my 3rd replacement drill and this one so far has been the worst. The clutch(torque) setting on number 2 with the low speed set on #1 is snapping screws behind the hinges when I'm setting doors, clutch does not break free. When I press the trigger to start drilling intermittently the drill does nothing until I release and re- engage the trigger . This is a brand new tool
by Beans on 2019-05-16T17:00:00

All Features

Materialmetal
Battery Cell TypeLithium Ion
Item model numberPS31BN
Number of Handles1
Item Package Quantity1
Included Componentsbare-tool
Power Sourcebattery-powered
Voltage12 volts
Batteries Required?No
Batteries Included?No
Item Weight2.6 pounds
StyleTool only
releaseDec 2012Jan 2019
Drill/ Driver TypeDrill/ Driver
IncludedBelt Clip Included
Voltage (v)18v
Product Depth (in.)4.61 in
Charger IncludedCharger Not Included
Tools Product TypePower Tool
Cordless Tool TypeDrill/Driver
Product-Weight (lb.)4.57 lb
Certifications and ListingsUL Listed
Returnable90-Day
ConditionNew
Cordless/ CordedCordless
Motor TypeBrushless
Manufacturer Warranty5 Year Limited Warranty (Tool)
Color FamilyRed
Chuck TypeKeyless
Battery/ChargerTool Only
Product Width (in.)8.66 in
Power Tool FeaturesBrushless,Keyless Chuck,LED Light,Variable Speed
Chuck Size1/2 In.
Product Height (in.)11.38 in
Maximum Speed (RPM)2000 RPM
Battery Power TypeLithium Ion

More Information

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